Сhарtеr 81: Ninth-rank Clеrk Zhu Yаn
“Yоur humblе sеrvant, Zhu Yan, Ninth-rank Сlеrk of the Мinistry of Justiсе, рауs rеspeсts to Your Majesty, lоng livе the Еmprеss.” Zhu Yаn hurriеdlу bowеd.
Uроn hеаring her sеlf-introduction, thе Еmprеss recallеd something. “Sо you аrе thе siхth dаughtеr оf the Zhu familу, аnd the сurrеnt Нall Lеadеr’s Wifе.”
Heаring this, Shеn Du quicklу steppеd forward and сlаsрed his fists in sаlute. “Your Mаjеstу, plеаsе fоrgivе this оffensе. It is duе to mу laсk of disciрline thаt mу fоolish wifе hаs sроken recklеssly here, disrupting Your Мajesty’s triаl. I beg Your Мajеstу’s graсe not to hold it against her.”
“It is of no consequence.” The Empress was magnanimous and, seeing Zhu Yan’s courage, felt a certain admiration. “I have always admired talented women. Madam Shen is not only talented but also brave—truly a rarity.”
“Your Majesty praises me too highly. I dare not accept such praise.” Zhu Yan quickly responded, only to be met with a fierce glare from Shen Du beside her.
The Empress observed the scene before her but said nothing further, instead turning the conversation to the case. “I have long heard of Madam Shen’s exceptional intelligence, especially in matters of investigation and deduction. Now that Tang Cèrán refuses to confess, does Madam Shen have any insights?”
“Your Majesty.” Zhu Yan bowed to the Empress. “Since Madam Tang refuses to confess, it must be because she feels no remorse for her crimes or believes that my husband and I have no solid evidence and that arresting her was a ridiculous act. I ask Your Majesty to grant me some time to analyze the case with Your Majesty and expose Madam Tang’s motive.”
As soon as Zhu Yan spoke these words, everyone present perked up.
Everyone was both curious and fearful about this case. Now that the true culprit had been apprehended but stubbornly refused to confess, it had left everyone at a loss.
Even the Empress was quite satisfied with Zhu Yan’s performance and nodded, signaling for her to continue.
With the Empress’s permission, Zhu Yan gained confidence. She stepped forward and looked intently at Madam Tang. “Madam Tang, since the case began, you have been the first suspect I identified. Until just now, I was still puzzled—why did you kill? But your earlier ramblings gave me an answer.”
Madam Tang was stunned, then let out a cold laugh, showing disdain for Zhu Yan’s words. “Don’t try to trick me with your words. So what if I’m a suspect? Without solid evidence, don’t expect me to submit to the law.”
“We are not in a hurry for that solid evidence.” Zhu Yan remained composed. “Let’s first deduce the case and discuss your motive.”
As Zhu Yan began to analyze the case, everyone held their breath, straining to listen carefully.
Even Lu Chuichui, standing in the distance, instinctively moved closer, wanting to hear Zhu Yan’s conclusion about the case.
“First, the deceased women all share certain similarities in appearance—whether in their eyes, noses, or demeanor. There is always a certain resemblance among them, as if they resemble one person. Moreover, they all came from the Qinlou Chu Pavilion in Pingkang Ward, which is also a common point.
As for the male victims, their commonality is even easier to identify: they were all killed because of their lingering in the Flower and Willow Alley or their obsession with the courtesans in the Blue Pavilion. In truth, from an objective perspective, these men were not exactly virtuous, but they did not deserve death.”
“Enough!” Zhu Yan had only just begun when Madam Tang, as if gone mad, tried to stop her from continuing."What do you know, spouting nonsense here and putting on such a show? Even if you speak with the most flowery words, no one will believe a single thing you say."
"Whether they believe me or not, everyone will judge for themselves." Zhu Yan looked at Madam Tang with a contemptuous expression. "What I find curious, though, is that if Madam Tang is so convinced I'm talking nonsense, why try to stop me from speaking further?"
"You're just spewing lies!" Madam Tang roared at Zhu Yan. "Do you think I'll admit anything because of this? I'm telling you, if you dare spout any more nonsense here, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"Are you afraid?" Zhu Yan provoked, her tone growing more assertive. "The courtesans I mentioned earlier—even if they weren't seven parts like you, they were at least three parts similar. That's why I'm certain. The women you killed must be connected to someone very close to you."
"Shut your mouth!" Madam Tang completely lost control. With a burst of strength from who knows where, she broke free from the ropes binding her and raised her palm, aiming straight for Zhu Yan's vital point.
Zhu Yan was shocked. She hadn't expected Madam Tang to suddenly erupt.
Moreover, Madam Tang possessed martial skills. If she struck her vital point directly, wouldn't that mean Zhu Yan would lose her life for nothing?
Zhu Yan retreated repeatedly. Even the Empress's eyes showed astonishment.
Everyone present was stunned by the scene before them. Lu Chuichui was so frightened she nearly screamed aloud.
Before the word "protect" could even be uttered, Madam Tang had already reached Zhu Yan.
Just as that palm was about to strike Zhu Yan's head, Madam Tang suddenly halted, as if controlled by someone.
Zhu Yan stumbled and fell to the ground. At that moment, Madam Tang's wrist was tightly gripped by a hand as strong as iron pliers.
"It's you!" Madam Tang, humiliated and enraged, glared at Shen Du who had intervened, her eyes burning with fury. "Didn't you say you had no affection for your own wife? Yet you still come to her rescue at a time like this. You've hidden it well enough!"
"My wife and I have always been deeply affectionate. I don't know where Madam Tang heard that we were at odds."
Shen Du sternly warned Madam Tang, casting a worried glance at Zhu Yan in the process.
This scene seemed to further provoke Madam Tang.
"Why do you get to live so well! All of you deserve to die, every last one of you!"
Madam Tang shook off Shen Du's hand and launched another attack at Zhu Yan.
Now she was like an enraged lion, her eyes bloodshot, her expression as if she would stop at nothing to take Zhu Yan's life.
"Don't you dare harm her!"
Shen Du also issued a fierce warning, stepping forward to engage Madam Tang.
Madam Tang had already broken down, her moves chaotic and disordered. Shen Du subdued her in just two or three moves.
After subduing her, he didn't forget to look at Zhu Yan and ask, "Are you alright?"
Zhu Yan shook her head, then shakily stood up.
She glanced at Shen Du, who had saved her at the brink of death, and felt a strange emotion stirring in her heart.
But now was not the time for sentiment. Realizing she had lost her composure, she quickly apologized to the Empress.
The Empress was only concerned whether the earlier fright had scared Zhu Yan and showed no intention of blaming her, which put Zhu Yan somewhat at ease.
After assuring everyone she was fine, Zhu Yan quickly straightened her clothes and resumed analyzing the case.In an attempt to silence Zhu Yan, Madam Tang rushed at her like a madwoman, shouting wildly.
Left with no other choice, Shen Du had to stuff a cloth gag into Madam Tang's mouth.
The Buddha Hall finally fell silent once more. Despite Madam Tang's desperate struggles, she remained immobilized under Shen Du's restraint.
Everyone present broke into a cold sweat over the scene that had just unfolded—Madam Tang's fury was truly terrifying.
It was as if the gentle, virtuous, and kind-hearted Madam Tang they had known before was not the same person standing before them now.
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